I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee

A Deeply Honest Therapy Memoir About Depression, Self-Discovery, and the Will to Keep Going

About the Book

This is not your typical self-help book. I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is an honest, deeply personal memoir by South Korean writer Baek Sehee, built around real conversations she had with her psychiatrist while navigating years of quiet, persistent depression. It is a book for anyone who has ever felt stuck between falling apart and carrying on.

About the Author

Baek Sehee studied creative writing in university before working for five years at a publishing house. For ten years, she received psychiatric treatment for persistent depressive disorder, which became the subject of her essays and then her memoirs. Her translator, Anton Hur, is an International Booker Prize shortlistee known for bringing Korean literature to a global audience.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is made for anyone who has ever felt persistently sad without being able to explain why, or who has struggled with self-doubt, low self-esteem, or the feeling of being “fine on the outside but not okay on the inside.” It is equally valuable for readers who want to better understand mental health, therapy, or the experience of depression in a gentle and relatable way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the book “I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki” about? It is a therapy memoir by South Korean author Baek Sehee. The book shares real sessions between Baek and her psychiatrist as she works through dysthymia, which is a form of persistent mild depression. It is honest, relatable, and full of quiet insights about self-worth, anxiety, and learning to accept yourself.

Q2: Is this book a self-help book or a memoir? It is both. Part memoir, part self-help book, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a book to keep close and to reach for in times of darkness. It combines real therapy dialogue with personal reflection, making it useful for readers going through difficult emotions as well as those simply seeking a deeper understanding of mental health.

Q3: Who recommended this book and why is it so popular? The New York Times recommended the book in a list of memoirs and biographies, and it received a recommendation by RM, the leader of South Korean boy band BTS, which greatly assisted the book’s international sales. It has since been translated into 25 languages and sold over a million copies worldwide.

Q4: Is this book suitable for teenagers or only adults? The book deals with themes like depression, self-criticism, and therapy. It is best suited for readers aged 16 and above. The language is simple and conversational, so it reads easily, but the emotional themes are best understood by older teens and adults who may be navigating similar feelings or who have an interest in mental wellness.